Success Definition, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：favorable outcome (success)

success 🔊

/səkˈses/

the state of achieving your goals or getting a good result.

Success meaning: person celebrating victory on mountain summit at sunrise

favorable outcome 🔊

➕

/ˈfeɪvərəbəl ˈaʊtkʌm/

The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of wealth, fame, or status.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin 'successus' from 'sub-' (under) + 'cedere' (to go), meaning 'to come after, to follow up'.

💡 Mnemonic

Success = 'suck' + 'cess' – stop sucking at your tasks, and you will achieve success!

📖 Example

After years of hard work, her small business finally became a success. 🔊 After years of hard work, her small business finally turned into a success.

🔗 Collocations

achieve success – to successfully reach a goal

success rate – the percentage of successful attempts

success story – an account of someone's remarkable achievement

🔄 Synonyms

triumph (n.) – A great victory or achievement

victory (n.) – The act of defeating an opponent or achieving a goal

achievement (n.) – Something accomplished successfully, especially by effort

🚫 Antonyms

failure (n.) – Lack of success; the state of not achieving a goal

defeat (n.) – The loss of a contest or failure to achieve a goal

loss (n.) – The state of being deprived of something or failing to keep or win

🌱 Derivatives

succeed (v.) – To achieve the desired aim or result

successful (adj.) – Having achieved success; wealthy or famous

successfully (adv.) – In a way that achieves a desired outcome

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Latin 'successus' meaning 'a coming up, result', the word gained prominence in 19th century self-help culture in America. It now symbolizes personal achievement against odds.